Centre drafts new rules for satellite TV channels-THE HINDU-

Details:

To overhaul it’s nine year-old uplink and downlink policy for private satellite TV channels, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued draft guidelines with stringent provisions for any violations with an additional clause that the Ministry of Home Affairs can step in to revoke the security clearance in case of repeated violations.

The Ministry said a review was prompted by the “fast evolving broadcasting technology” and “changes in the market scenarios”. An industry source said the policy is a “half measure” and there are concerns about “too much reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs” which earlier too had a key role to play. What has changed in this policy is that the Ministry in black and white has listed out 11 violations.

All channels have to take security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which was the case earlier too. Once granted, the clearance is valid for 10 years. However, the guidelines also mention that the MHA can withdraw the clearance which would mean that the permission to uplink would stand terminated automatically.

A broadcaster, who didn’t want to be named, said all sports channels had to take separate permission 15-days before telecasting a live event.

Instead of seeking permission, now the channel merely has to register online at Broadcast Seva with the necessary document five days prior to the telecast.